Introducing Jay and Lettie

no offense to the new sheriffs, but this really makes me question why J&D had to go...

5:35 pm April 8, 2010

Gorilla Monsoon wrote :

I agree that John and Dorothy Gaither were(are) terrific, but I'm glad to see a blog for wine here nonetheless! I'll look forward to checking it out daily. Jay and Lettie, aim high!

1:43 pm April 9, 2010

I miss John and Dottie too wrote :

Ditto

1:55 pm April 9, 2010

Totally agree wrote :

I miss John and Dottie too... It's just not the same

1:57 pm April 9, 2010

vinewag wrote :

Looks like it was the wine column's turn to get spun into a profit center.

2:19 pm April 9, 2010

Dean Movroydis wrote :

Come on everyone, you have to give the new folks a chance. We can't judge off of a simple written dialogue. Let's see what kind of wine they talk about over the next few weeks and then let's trash them. Just kidding. Anyway, I also do miss John and Dottie and wish them well and hope to run into them in another publication. As far as the cheapest wine is concerned, isn't Almanden more expensive than Charles Shaw?

2:29 pm April 9, 2010

Try Something New wrote :

Oh, grow up everyone. I love John and Dottie too, but the only constant is change. Just like with wine, John and Dottie would say you should branch out and extend yourselves. I think the new duo sounds spunky.

2:35 pm April 9, 2010

Agree wrote :

I agree with the above comments re: missing John and Dottie. This column is just not as charming - it feels like there's a "who's the wittiest competition going on. John and Dottie were like old friends with whom you could have a nice conversation and a glass of wine. Open that bottle night won't be the same.

2:38 pm April 9, 2010

Larry wrote :

I'm not much of a wine connoisseur. I read John and Dottie's column for them much more than for the wine.

I'm really not looking for a replacement wine column. If I was, I'd probably find it in a magazine, not the Journal.

2:44 pm April 9, 2010

Nicole Hamilton wrote :

I already like you guys a =lot= better than the previous (and needlessly pompous) pair that preceded you. If you can't really be human why would I care what you have to say? Welcome!

3:04 pm April 9, 2010

Huh? wrote :

Nicole--Gen Y??? Liking someone should not be a prerequisite for anything except marriage and personal friendship. Expertise, knowledge, and skill come in all sorts of packages! Not everyone aspires to be likeable to the masses...

3:05 pm April 9, 2010

C. Williams wrote :

I miss John and Dottie so much, and, like many, read their column for more than just the wine information. Still, I'll be a good sport and say "Good Luck" to the new writers. You have a high benchmark to aim for here.

3:08 pm April 9, 2010

White wine blues wrote :

I'll reserve judgment for now, but Riesling??? White wine drinkers are quite different from those who love to slowly savor the reds.

3:23 pm April 9, 2010

Nicole Hamilton wrote :

To Huh?: Baby boomer. And what have I ever done that made you think I worry a lot about being likable to the masses?

3:30 pm April 9, 2010

MIchael J wrote :

John and Dottie's departure was like having a good friend move away. It's been three months and I STILL (sadly) get excited at the thought of a Tastings column every Saturday, only to be crushed when I realize that my friends have moved on.

I'm excited about the new people, though! Lettie is already after my heart--pinotage is sickening and should be destroyed.

3:31 pm April 9, 2010

Gen X, baby! wrote :

You stated that if someone is not "human why would I care what you have to say." In time, you will acquire wisdom or the country will be ruled by lots of simpletons who just find each other oh so human and pin all those lovely prizes on one another just for participating--not actually achieving!!!

3:34 pm April 9, 2010

Suzanne in the Rockies wrote :

to Huh?
Huh? To like something is only appropriately used regarding a friendship or marriage??? That's a new one on me. Since the word used as a verb means to take pleasure in or enjoy, how do we describe things such as wine that we enjoy other than to say "we take delight in such and such wine?" There is so much enmity in this country now, don't you think having a congenial comment section in a blog about wine would be nicer than calling someone out on their opinion of the wine columnists and her choice of the word "like" to describe her feelings?
Have a great weekend, all. Hope you get to enjoy some good wines.

3:46 pm April 9, 2010

Steve wrote :

Riesling: yes! I love red as well, but there is too little written on Riesling.

Welcome! I've missed having a wine columnist!

3:51 pm April 9, 2010

Huh wrote :

Suzanne, I take exception with the second sentence not the first. She can like zin for all I care, but to ignore the ideas of others because you deem them somehow not human enough? Hope you enjoy some lovely wines too!

3:51 pm April 9, 2010

Disappointed wrote :

Poor excuse for a column, but I will reserve some judgement. I've wondered, as well what happened to John and Dottie, who were like old friends and took me on many an adventure over the years. Their ability to tell stories and seek out hidden gems drew me to their columns. How am I to trust anything that comes from a person who prefers white wine?

3:54 pm April 9, 2010

JACK PEVERILL wrote :

BRAVO - LOOKING FORWARD TO READING IT, AFTER HAVING ENDURED "JOHN AND DOTTIE" - AWFUL. I GUESS SOME PEOPLE LIKED THEM. ONE NOTE ABOUT THE RIESLINGS. THE GREAT RIESLINGS FROM THE RHEINGAU AS WELL AS ALL SORTS FROM ALL OVER THE "Weinbaugebiet" are great. What people don't realize is that the Germans drink wine quite differently from the French- It is an apple and oranges distinction. Best approach, take each( F vs G) on their own terms and in their own way!

4:02 pm April 9, 2010

Fan of Nicole wrote :

I'm with Nicole on this, as I usually am when I run across one of her comments. So far we've seen both good wit and sound judgment (regarding pinotage) in the new columnists, who come to us with distinguished literary and oenological reputations. If we can get through a few more columns without hearing about two wonderful daughters and the mother in law's brisket, I'll be happy.

4:13 pm April 9, 2010

F+G wrote :

Jack you reminded me of a train ride a few years ago in which I was seated near both a Frenchman and a German man. As is customary, they inquired as to where I'd traveled and what areas I liked, and among other places I responded that I liked Strasbourg, France for its blend of french and german cultures. We discussed the city's history of changing hands and the proud Frenchman noted that it was a part of France. The German replied "For the moment." Only in Europe to get to appreciated the meaning of the word history and with it those wonderful wines!

4:19 pm April 9, 2010

Already miss John and Dottie wrote :

They knew their wines and always had some new finds in all sorts of price points. I'm going to try and find their blog if they have one.

4:50 pm April 9, 2010

Tom in Flyover wrote :

Like many others I miss John and Dottie, but I've also enjoyed Lettie in Food & Wine. I'm looking forward to the new column.

4:55 pm April 9, 2010

Grateful wrote :

Dottie and John's writing style was to include their readers in the conversation and emphasize that wine should be a part of ordinary and special occasions but not the focal point. They wrote for the Everyman and encouraged us less knowledgeable souls not to be intimidated. For this I am grateful. The Journal is poorer for their absence - at least some of their columns are still accessible.
While I will doubtless pick up information from the new writers, the writing so far does not make me smile. Another reason to cancel my subscription and search out John and Dottie's books.

5:11 pm April 9, 2010

George d'Amboise wrote :

I am not sorry to see the old guard go. I recall quitting wine critics because they had highly praised a Riesling. I drove from Pasadena to Westwood to get a bottle. It was dreadful. Yes, they were politically correct, and perhaps the Journal thought they were earning some points in that respect. But they led to too many disappointments.

5:28 pm April 9, 2010

ListenToMeWine wrote :

I guess I never fully appreciated J&D. My palate was tuned a bit differently and I didn't care for the rating system that was used. I am looking forward to Jay and Lettie's musings. I am glad to hear Lettie chime in about Pinotage, the Loire and Riesling. I agree with her on all three points which makes me excited to see her included here. Having just read Jay's column on rose Champagne, I can honestly say he did not dissappoint. Keep up the good work, the Journal has missed out on coverage of the wine world. I would like to see more small producers (cult wines) and rising stars from California highlighted, but maybe that's just my west coast bias.
Cheers.

5:44 pm April 9, 2010

Miss 'Em wrote :

I miss my old friends and derived a lot of enjoyment from reading their columns and exploring their wines.

I'm quite willing to make new friends but it won't change the fact I miss my old ones.

New owners, managers, etc. all seem to think change is good. Time will tell.

8:03 pm April 9, 2010

Baby Boomer wrote :

WSJ, you cannot be serious. Jay McInerney is a wine critic?

9:55 am April 10, 2010

Jim McKenna (real name) wrote :

This is self promotional for our vineyard/winery - Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard (smvwinery.com) - Dickerson, Md., 40 minutes North of Wash. DC. Read no further if you have no interest. Owners are four Irish American families (O'Donoghue, McGarry, McKenna) and wine maker is Carl DiManno - UC Davis grad with Masters in Oenology. We have been open for just 4 years less than a mile from the foot of historic Sugarloaf Mountain. Our wines have been smash hits from the start, our Cab Franc having won double gold in International competition in Finger Lakes, plus many other medals (including another double gold - only four have been awarded to Md wines in history - and many golds) Three lawyers (me a retired Judge) and an engineer. Loads of backdrop stories. Love to get hype from you. Remember, Jim Barrett was a trial lawyer before his Chard won 1st in 1976 Paris. Ciao Jim McKenna

8:08 pm April 10, 2010

Tony in Australia wrote :

Agreed that Pinotage is swill. But to each his/her own. I'm a Texan living in Australia where American wine is hard to find and expensive once you find it. It will be great to get the new writers' perspectives on American wines so I can try them when back in the U.S.

9:39 pm April 12, 2010

Baldman (Australia) wrote :

John and Dottie afforded the "comfort" of old shoes, however the moment had come to move with the times and introduce new wine writers, writing with a modern voice and pitch. From what I've read of the early writings of Jay, and those of Lettie in "Food & Wine", I've every confidence that they will take the column to a new level of excellence, and i now look forward to a weekly read of the WSJ wine column, something that was not previously the case. Good luck to Lettie and Jay!

11:20 pm April 13, 2010

I miss John and Dottie too wrote :

Nicole -- John and Dottie were "pompous"??! Lay off the white zin, it's warping your judgement. John and Dottie added a human touch to this conservative rag. These two new East Coast Wine Snobs write for their own self-promotion, rather than address the "man on the street". Time to look for the J&D blog now...

4:51 pm April 14, 2010

ListenToMeWine wrote :

What makes someone a "wine snob", let alone an "East Coast Wine Snob"?
I have friends that at first would classify me as a wine snob, but once they taste with me they realize I am simply a wine dork.

5:16 pm April 14, 2010

GW wrote :

Pinotage also grown in NZ

7:47 pm April 15, 2010

Joe Krystofik wrote :

I like the new guy. He's smart. And looks a lot like JWB, who I sorely miss.

9:13 pm April 23, 2010

GO wrote :

I am not renewing my subscription if John Brecher and Dorothy Gaiter don't return to WSJ - only reason I kept my subscription.

11:56 am April 24, 2010

Alberto wrote :

Can I know what happened with John Brecher and Dorothy Gaiter ?
I love their column and I supposed I will like the new too.
But, what happened with them after so many years

11:37 am April 25, 2010

JerryM wrote :

I always have trouble posting on the WSJ, but it appears they were laid off. Google their names or copy these urls's and paste into your browser.

Great to see Lettie's writing again. Her wit and punch are missed from Food and Wine. But what about the lively Torrontes of Argentina, the rich and velvety Malbec so different depending on where in Argentina it is grown and the Rieslings of Australia and the Pinots of New Zealad? After all, most new world wine regions were founded by Old World immigrants and now have vines as old as those in the old world. I agree with Lettie about the Loire and old bordeaux is always a favorite. But old Napa, old Super Tuscan, old Rioja, old Argentine cab sauv and old Grange should not be forgotten.

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About On Wine

The Wall Street Journal’s On Wine blog provides incisive criticism and accessible advice, both professional and personal, on the world of wine. Jay McInerney (left), Lettie Teague (center) and Will Lyons (right) are the lead writers. Ms. Teague and Mr. McInerney write the On Wine column Saturdays in Weekend Journal. Mr. Lyons writes a weekly wine column for the European edition of the Wall Street Journal.